The Wharton County Grand Jury has indicted Samantha Nicole Martinez, 35, from El Campo, on a murder charge tied to fentanyl. Prosecutors say Martinez knowingly provided the drug that caused the February overdose death of 34-year-old Destinee Lynette Pesina near El Campo. This case is among the first under a new Texas law targeting fentanyl-related … Read more
Bay City Police are boosting emergency response by arming patrol supervisors with trauma kits and providing hands-on training for all shifts. These kits include lifesaving tools like tourniquets to stop severe bleeding before EMS arrives. Fire Marshal Dan Shook’s office is leading the training. The Lions Club of Bay City and Hundred Club of Matagorda … Read more
A second Wharton man has been sentenced in the ’21 Thanksgiving murder at Meadows Apartments. Nathaniel Ford Allen pleaded guilty on June 9th and was sentenced to 46 years, with credit for over 1,200 days in jail. Prosecutors say Allen and Daveon Marqui Allen shot 25-year-old Larry Joe Guerra 15 times during a robbery. Guerra … Read more
Youth Leadership Matagorda County has received national recognition with an Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties. The program gives local high school seniors and homeschool students hands-on experience in healthcare, education, government, and other vital sectors across Matagorda County. Co-led by County Judge Bobby Seiferman and BCCDC Director Jessica Russell, the group meets … Read more
West Nile virus-carrying mosquitoes have been found in nearby Fort Bend County, raising alerts for our community to protect against mosquito bites. So far, no local human cases have been reported in Texas. Most people bitten experience mild flu-like symptoms, but severe illness affecting the brain can occur rarely. Back in ’12, a Wharton County … Read more
Bay City took a big step forward last week by approving the final green light for a new $15 million Aquatics Center. The City Council gave the okay for the Bay City Community Development Corporation to lead the project, with $6 million coming from BCCDC and the rest funded through partnerships and federal incentives. This … Read more
El Campo actively fought a surge in mosquitoes caused by recent rains. The city’s Public Works team used fogging to control three types of mosquitoes: those from floodwaters, containers like flowerpots, and stagnant, dirty water that can carry diseases. Residents helped by removing standing water in gutters, old tires, and birdbaths, keeping lawns trimmed, and … Read more
Bay City’s Public Works team laid out a busy year so far during a recent City Council update. From January through May, 56 new homes were approved, and over 466 inspections took place in May alone. Big-ticket items include $28.7 million in wastewater upgrades and $1.8 million in water main replacements. Streets, bridges, and drainage … Read more
A Somerville man was killed Thursday near Louise after his cement truck was struck by a train. Authorities say 45-year-old Argelio Gaona Jr. tried to cross the tracks at CR 315 off U.S. 59 but didn’t clear in time. His 2001 Peterbilt was hit while turning through the crossover. DPS confirmed the train was traveling … Read more
Wharton County Junior College Foundation recently held its second annual “Blackjack, Glitz & Glamor” fundraiser at the Houston Marriott Sugar Land, raising over $100,000 for local students and programs. Guests enjoyed casino games, cocktails, and auctions in the heart of Sugar Land’s Town Square. Key supporters included STP Nuclear Operating Company, honored for their commitment … Read more